- Superbloom!
After an exceptionally wet Winter, California’s hills exploded into a burst of wildflowers in the Spring. Some of the most spectacular ’superblooms’ could be found in Carrizo Plain National Monument, in central California. (April 17, 2023. Nikon D7200, 1/320s @ f/5.6, 26mm, ISO 100.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superbloom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrizo_Plain - White Globe Lily
My favorite macro photograph of 2021 was this shot of a White Globe Lily in Foothills Park, Palo Alto, California. (April 26, 2021. Nikon D7200, 1/25s @ f/22, 85mm, ISO 359.) - Bobcat at Coe
This bobcat, in northern California's Henry Coe State Park, seemed somewhat annoyed at my presence while I photographed it. (March 31, 2021. Nikon D7200, 1/500s @ f/13, 300mm, ISO 6400.) - Auckland from Mount Eden
My home city of Auckland, New Zealand was built on a dormant volcanic field. Several volcanic cones are visible in this photo (an iPhone panorama). This photo itself was take from the summit of the largest volcanic cone: Mount Eden. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland_volcanic_field https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maungawhau (April 25, 2020. Apple iPhone 11 Pro, 1/1115s @ f/2, 6mm, ISO 20.) - 'Pale Ale'
This bobcat - nicknamed 'Pale Ale' by local rangers - is frequently seen in the Hunting Hollow area of Henry Coe State Park, California. This time I was lucky enough to have my telephoto lens on hand. (April 23, 2018. Nikon D7200, 1/500s @ f/14, 300 mm, ISO 9000.) - 'Rules are made to be broken'
'Keep the Sun behind you' is one of the first rules you learn when you start taking photos. But sometimes this rule can be broken, as in this photo taken on New Zealand's famed Tongariro Alpine Crossing. (This was also one of the rare times when I was awake early enough to photograph the sunrise!) On the right is the volcano Mount Ngauruhoe (which served as 'Mount Doom' in 'The Lord of the Rings' movies). (April 6, 2018. Nikon D7200, 1/200s @ f/8, 16 mm, ISO 100.) - Reflections of a Wet Winter
Oak trees are reflected in a small pond at Henry Coe State Park, in northern California. (April 2, 2017. Nikon D7200, 1/125s @ f/10, 78 mm, ISO 250.) - Camouflaged
In the backcountry of California's Henry Coe State Park, I caught this remarkably camouflaged Coast Horned Lizard. (April 30, 2016. Nikon D5000, 1/640s @ f/9, 85 mm, ISO 200.) - "California Majesty"
This photograph was a surprise. While hiking in northern California's Grant Ranch County Park, I hiked to the top of a hill, looking for a panoramic view. But instead, I was struck by the sight of this stunning California Live Oak, back-lit by the late afternoon sun. (April 6, 2014. Nikon D5000, 1/250s @ f/6.3, 11mm, ISO 200.) - Western Racer, Henry Coe State Park, California
My favorite macro photograph of 2013. With an 85mm macro lens, I was able to get within 1 foot of this small snake, as it watched me warily. I like the detail that I was able to capture in its eye and nose. (April 17, 2013. Nikon D5000, 1/100s @ f/18, 85mm, ISO 200.) - Cypress Swamp, Mississippi
Returning to Spring in the Northern Hemisphere... In April and May of 2011 I drove around the United States, visiting all 48 contiguous states. This long-exposure (1.6 second) photo of a sleepy Cypress Swamp was taken in central Mississippi, near the Natchez Trace Parkway. (April 9, 2011. Nikon D5000, 1.6s @ f/16, 34mm, ISO 200.) - "The Photographer"
Mountain biking friend Dave Oare photographs the Grand Canyon at sunset. (April 19, 2010. Nikon D5000, 1/125s @ f/9, 13mm, ISO 200.) - Antelope Canyon, near Page, Arizona
The 'slot canyons' of the U.S. Southwest are favorite spots for photography. Because of the extremely high dynamic range (between the dark and sunlit regions), exposure bracketing is almost essential in order to get good photographs here. (April 18, 2010. Nikon D5000, exposure blending from 3-shot bracketed exposure (-2,0,+2 EV) @ f/16, 26mm, ISO 200.) - Horseshoe Bend (Colorado River), near Page, Arizona
This remarkable horseshoe-shaped bend in the Colorado River (just north-east of the Grand Canyon) is one of the most photographed spots on the river. This view is towards the West, and this photo was taken in the afternoon, so it's not as good as it could have been. (However, IMHO it still looks better than most other Horseshoe Bend photographs I've seen on the Internet.) I wonder how many thousand years it will take for the narrow neck of the bend to erode through - allowing the river to pass straight through... (April 17, 2010. Nikon D5000, 1/125s @ f/18, 13mm, ISO 200.) - Joshua Tree National Park
Southern California's Joshua Tree National Park is a photographer's dream at any time of the year. In Spring, however, wildflowers are blooming, and you get even more wonderful photo opportunities. (April 12, 2010. Nikon D5000, 1/100s @ f/14, 35mm, ISO 200.)